CITY OF CALAPAN – Seven men were arrested by the police on Thursday afternoon after they were caught with illegally cut coconut lumber in Pola town in Oriental Mindoro province.
A report from the police in Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) identified the suspects as chainsaw operators Jaymar Diliman, 27, and Wilbert Zamora, 33; and their helpers Rosalito Musico, 38, Garry Lamboloto, 25, Randy Musico, 39, Glennbert John Magtibay, 25, and Bernard Zamora, 28.
The report said the local police received information about illegal logging of coconut trees in the village of Campamento of Pala and proceeded to the area for validation at 1:30 p.m., where the group was caught with the felled coconut trees.
The seven, who were residents of Barangay (village) Catiningan in the next town of Socorro, could not present any permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to cut coconut trees.
Confiscated from the suspects were 142 pieces of coconut lumbers totaling 1,932 board feet and valued at P28,980 and two chainsaws with serial numbers.
The detained suspects will face charges for violation of Republic Act 10593 or the Act Providing for the Regulation of the Cutting of Coconut Trees.